Lemon Upside-Down Cake

Cal Peternell likes teaching recipes that are extremely versatile, like this one. The cake is wonderful when it's made with almost any type of fruit, from figs and blood oranges to pineapple. Peternell usually uses sweet Meyer lemons from his neighbor's tree. Regular lemons are tasty too and add a bitter note that's a lovely contrast to the gooey brown-sugar topping.
Plus: More Dessert Recipes and Tips

Ingredients

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

2 thin-skinned lemons, sliced paper-thin crosswise, seeds discarded

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 large eggs, separated

3/4 cup whole milk

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Sweetened whipped cream, for serving

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350°. Set a 9-inch nonstick cake pan over moderate heat. Add 4 tablespoons of the butter and when it is melted, stir in the brown sugar until dissolved, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat. Arrange the lemon slices in the melted brown sugar.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the remaining 8 tablespoons of butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla and the egg yolks, one at a time. At low speed, beat in the dry ingredients in 3 batches, alternating with the milk.

Step 3

In a stainless steel bowl, beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar at high speed until firm peaks form. Fold one-third of the beaten whites into the batter, then fold in the rest. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert it onto a plate. Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream.

You May Like

Read More

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Keeping you in the know on all the latest & greatest food and travel news, and other special offers.

Review Body: This cake was such a hit not everyone at the pot luck got to try it! Folks found it to be “not too sweet” and “with a delightful crumb.” The flavor is excellent and while I used Meyer Lemons, I would try it next with blueberries. I recommend serving it with a dollop of almond-infused whipped cream for the perfect accent. Just lovely. Mine cooked for 43 minutes, just for the record.